Aldrick “Allie” McNab, OD, JP Appointed Fifth Pro- Chancellor, UTech, Jamaica

The process for search and selection of Pro-Chancellor was guided by the Ordinance for the Search, selection and Appointment Procedures for the Pro-Chancellor, developed in keeping with the UTech, Jamaica Act, and modeled from the procedures established for the search and selection for the Chancellor. 

The Pro-Chancellor is an Officer of the University and serves as the Chairman of the governing Council.   In the absence of the Chancellor, he exercises all the functions of the Chancellor except for the conferring of degrees. His additional duties include serving as an ambassador for the University, to promote its activities in the wider community, in particular, to assist with the philanthropic activity, and fund-raising projects of the University. 

Mr. McNab previously served the University of Technology, Jamaica in various capacities since 2009.  These roles have included: 

•  Prime Minister’s Representative on University of Technology, Jamaica’s Council from 2009 – 2011 and 2016 – up to his appointment as Pro-Chancellor on December 4, 2023. 
•  Adjunct Professor, Faculty of Science and Sport (2012 to present) 
•  Co-opted member, University of Technology, Jamaica Academic Board (2012 - 2020) 
•  Deputy Chairman of the Council- November 2022 up to his appointment as Pro-Chancellor. 

 Profile 

Mr. McNab’s illustrious achievements as national footballer and coach followed from his glittering football career as a student of his alma mater, Cornwall College, where he led his school’s football team to DaCosta Cup and Olivier Shield Honours in 1963. At the young age of 15, he played for Jamaica in 1963 under Brazilian coach Jorge Pinta.  He went on to play professional football in the USA and a short stint with clubs in Toronto, Canada before returning home to Jamaica in 1970.  He went on to captain/coach and manage the National Football Team and over his career in the sport, was highly regarded as one of the best “strikers” (forwards) ever produced by Jamaica.  Mr. McNab also coached the Cornwall College Football team between 1970- 1974 and again in 1976, and was coach of the All Da’Costa Team (1973-74). 

Mr. McNab also holds the distinction of representing Jamaica in track & field athletics, being one of the country’s top 100m sprinters.  He won the 100m for his alma mater Cornwall College at the 1966 staging of Boys Championship, whilst placing 2nd in the 200 metre and 2nd in long-jump - a performance that won him the Champion Boy athlete at that year’s Championship.  He went on to represent Jamaica in sprinting, winning the Forbes Bernam Trophy in Guyana whilst being crowned the top sprinter in the Caribbean. 

His broadcasting career which spanned some 30 years, saw Mr. McNab covering a variety of sporting events, including the Olympics of 1984 in Los Angeles and local anchoring of World Cup’s Tennis, Netball, Cricket, and other sports disciplines, and was the originator of the “popular Thursday Night at the Fights” boxing show on JBC. 

The newly appointed UTech, Jamaica Pro-Chancellor has also made his mark as a successful business entrepreneur.  He owned and operated a petrol station, McNab’s Texaco for over 15 years.  He has also ventured into manufacturing, owning and operating Chrystal Ice Co. for ten years, before entering the advertising field where he owned and operated Visual Vibe.com Limited, a leading LED/Video board advertising company in Jamaica.

A versatile Jamaican icon, Mr. McNab is also a musician. He played guitar and sang with the popular band, Billy Vernon and the Celestials for many years and also led his own band, Allie McNab and the New Breed with popular singer ET Webster as the front man.  

Mr. McNab holds a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from St. Louis University, USA and a Bachelor’s degree in Commercial Arts from Ontario College of Art, Canada. 

For his services to sports development in Jamaica, Mr. McNab was conferred with the Order of Distinction (OD) in 2012.  His exploits were also recognized by the Diaspora and in 2014 was bestowed with the Lifetime Achievement Award. 

Mr. McNab, who is also Special Advisor to the Minister of Sports, has served as Chairman of several National Committees, they have included Chairman of Special Olympics Jamaica (2007 –present); Deputy Chairman of Jamaica Anti-Doping Commission (2007-2022); Director of CHASE Board (2007-2010).  He  is also a Commissioner at the Broadcasting Commission Board (2017- present) and member of the Board of the Institute of Jamaica (2020- present). 

In accepting his appointment, Mr. McNab said: “I am truly honoured to accept this new appointment as Pro-Chancellor of UTech, Jamaica, having had the privilege of serving the institution in various capacities over 17 years.  This new role will give me the opportunity to continue to work with the university’s leadership, staff, students, and stakeholders, to support UTech, Jamaica in its mission to positively impact  teaching, research and service to government, industry and communities.” 

Ambassador  Lloyd Carney, Chancellor, UTech, Jamaica in welcoming the appointment of the  Pro- Chancellor, noted that “the University Council’s recommendation for the appointment of Mr. McNab was influenced by his vast body of leadership experience at the highest levels both at the university and in the public sector,”  adding that “his eminent qualifications as a business entrepreneur and his demonstrated passion and willingness over many years in lending his fiscal acumen, expertise and advice to transformative decision making at the university, will continue in his new role  as Pro-Chancellor, to greatly impact UTech, Jamaica’s strategic direction and development.” 

The UTech, Jamaica community congratulates Mr. McNab on his appointment and pledges its full support to him during his tenure as Pro- Chancellor of the University. 

End.  

Contact:

Michelle Beckford
Corporate Communications Manager
University of Technology, Jamaica
Telephone: (876) 970-5299/818-5893
Email: mbeckford@utech.edu.jm